Bulacan massacre suspect retracts admission, cries torture 

The suspect in the massacre of a family in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, on Thursday retracted his earlier statements on the killings, claiming that he was tortured by the policemen who arrested him.

In a report by GMA News' Mariz Umali on 24 Oras, Carmelino "Miling" Ibañes said he was forced by police to admit the crime.

"Dito po sa dibdib, sinuntok po. Binalot po ako ng plastic sa ulo, noong 'di na po 'ko makahinga, naano, parang mauubusan po ko ng hangin sa katawan," Ibañes said as he denied involvement in the massacre.

"Wala po kong kinalaman po doon sa binibintang po nila sa akin. 'Yung pagpatay po doon sa mga tao. Doon po sa masaker po, wala po akong kinalaman doon. Natakot lang po ako," he said.

He added his right hand was also hit by a hammer by the police.

"Sa kamay po, pero 'di naman po bumakat. Pinapaamin po ako," the suspect said.

Ibañes showed the areas where he was allegedly hit by the police, but the report said no visible markings could be seen. According to him, the supposed torture happened on June 27 when he was summoned by the police.

Meanwhile, authorities denied Ibañas' allegation.

"It is so aburd. Hindi po namin gagawin 'yun. Unang-una, nang siya ay nasa custody po namin, actually personally I'm the one taking care of him, so it's impossible na siya po ay nagawan ng ganon," said Supt. Fitz Macariola, chief of San Jose del Monte police.

"Kahit pa siya ay suspek, we are expecting na his statement now may change overnight, so 'di kami nagbabase ng aming kaso o future ng aming kaso on his sworn statement or his confession," Macariola added.

Ibañes earlier confessed that he was under the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs when he committed the killings of Auring Dizon, her daughter Estrella, and three grandchildren, all minors, inside the victims' house last week.

Ibañes, however, tested negative for illegal drugs.

Two "persons of interest" in the massacre have been found dead. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News